Has anyone here taken fish on a commercial flight?

[Jacob D]

I'm kicking something around in my head. Just wondering if anyone has done this? I'm assuming you would have to check them due to the amount of liquid?... or are the TSA folks savvy enough to figure out that fish can't stay alive in explosive chemicals?

I'd love to hear about any experiences, good or bad.

 

[romanr]

interesting question. I know from my experiences attending hobby conferences that most people who buy livestock will just ship them via UPS or Fedex prior to traveling back.

 

[LukFox]

There are topics on here that have covered this, but from memory it is basically allowed to bring them on the flight with you. The airport realizes fish can't survive in explosive chemicals, so liquid containing live fish is okay for flight. However, you need to call ahead and get names of the people you've spoken with before you attempt it. Not all employees are aware that liquids with fish is okay, so you need to get the go ahead before you go to the airport. Hopefully someone who has actually done this speaks up, but that's what I've gathered from past posts on the subject.

 

[ccampbell57]

I brought my first bandit back with me from Honolulu in first class with no issues.

Now that is living

 

[Bret61081]

I tried to do it a few years ago, the day no liquids on the planes all went down(not knowing till I got to the airport)! TSA took the fish a Royal Gamma I was taking home for my fathers Birthday and told me they would "dispose of it" since no liquids were allowed. Clearly they could see the fish alive and swimming and had no concern that it was a live animal. I flipped out and threatened to call the news and any animal rights activist group I could if they didn't give me the fish back! Needless to say the Cops were involved and I ended up getting the fish back, and the airline put me on a flight the next day without a fish! With the tightened security now, I wouldn't chance it personally again...

 

[Jacob D]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Dang Chris, that IS living Did you have a styro box in one hand an cocktail in the other? Seriously though... so is the preferred method to find a carry-on size styro? Or just pack it really well into a cardboard box, triple bagged and so forth? How much visual access does TSA actually need?

Sounds like it would be a PITA but depending on the fish, could be worth it.

 

[BlueCorn]

By the "letter of the law" it's not allowed. It's a violation of the amount of liquids available as well as the fact that it's a live animal. It's possible that you could talk your way through with one but I wouldn't risk it.

I've also discovered, with my photo gear, that even if the TSA rules & regs. specifically allow something, the agent at the checkpoint can overrule that. Basically, if they decide they don't like something, you're not getting on the plane with it. You have no recourse.

 

[Aporia]

Chris that reminded me of that seen in Wedding singer where Billy Idol talks about how first class passengers can do whatever they want!

Even if you did make it through the TSA I would be worried about it not getting crushed now that airlines are charging for checked bags and every idiot is trying to bring the kitchen sink with them!

 

[ccampbell57]

Doug - you are correct. TSA regs are not hard and fast. Each agent can have their own philosophy and depending on the day they can overrule anything. I called Honolulu airport the day after catching the bandit with Robert at 190ft and talked to the Supervising Manager. I let them know of the situation and they said as long as the fish is packed properly and thu can do a swab of the bag and the box it is in as well as see the fish swimming it was good to go. It went off without a hitch.

I have also done this many times coming from San Jose when I decided to visit my favorite shop in milpitas.

I have never had an issue.

 

[jaa1456]

Doug - you are correct. TSA regs are not hard and fast. Each agent can have their own philosophy and depending on the day they can overrule anything. I called Honolulu airport the day after catching the bandit with Robert at 190ft and talked to the Supervising Manager. I let them know of the situation and they said as long as the fish is packed properly and thu can do a swab of the bag and the box it is in as well as see the fish swimming it was good to go. It went off without a hitch.

I have also done this many times coming from San Jose when I decided to visit my favorite shop in milpitas.

I have never had an issue.

I can't believe they didn't arrest you for removing the fish with no permits. Hawaii is very strict. I brought a few things back several times. Before the security with the liquids I would just pack the fish in my carry on. I once brought back 300 hermits from cancun. After the new liquid rule, I have packed a few fish in my bags, but they were not carry ons.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

I can't believe they didn't arrest you for removing the fish with no permits. Hawaii is very strict. I brought a few things back several times. Before the security with the liquids I would just pack the fish in my carry on. I once brought back 300 hermits from cancun. After the new liquid rule, I have packed a few fish in my bags, but they were not carry ons.

The "Robert" in his post, was a licensed collector, FWIW.

 

[ccampbell57]

I can't believe they didn't arrest you for removing the fish with no permits. Hawaii is very strict. I brought a few things back several times. Before the security with the liquids I would just pack the fish in my carry on. I once brought back 300 hermits from cancun. After the new liquid rule, I have packed a few fish in my bags, but they were not carry ons.

I understand the laws and what is legal and not. This was not a "fly by the seat of my pants" thing. Rob was with Menander had all the proper fishing licenses and permits.

BTW...if you read the rules by TSA ALL pets are allowed on board as long as they are properly "crated". My pets just happen to be fish.

The "Robert" in his post, was a licensed collector, FWIW.

Exactly...

 

[Yogre]

Just a couple of things to add from my perspective as an airline employee.

I wouldn't recommend placing any livestock in a checked bag. 100% of checked baggage on passenger airliners is screened, and the CTX machine TSA uses packs a wallop, X-ray wise. I don't know for sure, but it may be enough to injure or even kill your livestock. Also, TSA may decide to open your bag and "dispose of" your fish, and without you there to have any input you have no recourse.

The method ccampbell57 has been using is working well for him. The only thing I might add is if you call the airport's TSA supervisor for clearance, it might be helpful to make sure that individual is working the date/time you are traveling. They may be willing to intercede on your behalf if you are unlucky enough to run across a screener who decides to be tougher on you than what the regs require.

P.S. Don't be surprised if before too much longer your pets have to get a pat-down to fly, too. I'm only half kidding. One of the really sick things the same gang who shipped the printer toner bombs tried was sewing an explosive device into a couple of live dogs. They did such a hackneyed job the dogs died in transit, and the plot was thus discovered. I wouldn't put it past them to try it again.

 

[jaa1456]

I understand the laws and what is legal and not. This was not a "fly by the seat of my pants" thing. Rob was with Menander had all the proper fishing licenses and permits.

BTW...if you read the rules by TSA ALL pets are allowed on board as long as they are properly "crated". My pets just happen to be fish.


Exactly...

As you mentioned(and yes I know who Robert is). He had the permits not you. You were the one flying with the fish, Not Robert. So that changes everything. Hawaii is very strict with the exporting and importing of any animals, Dogs,cats,birds,fish whatever. So just because you know someone who is liscensed to collect does not mean you are safe to remove it from Hawaii. I would say you got lucky or just had someone that didn't really care that day. not everyone takes their job seriously. look at newark airport where the employees let a random person through a door they left ajar. No ID, no metal detector nothing. The entire airport was shut down when someone noticed him 2 hours later.

 

[ccampbell57]

As you mentioned(and yes I know who Robert is). He had the permits not you. You were the one flying with the fish, Not Robert. So that changes everything. Hawaii is very strict with the exporting and importing of any animals, Dogs,cats,birds,fish whatever. So just because you know someone who is liscensed to collect does not mean you are safe to remove it from Hawaii. I would say you got lucky or just had someone that didn't really care that day. not everyone takes their job seriously. look at newark airport where the employees let a random person through a door they left ajar. No ID, no metal detector nothing. The entire airport was shut down when someone noticed him 2 hours later.

Hawaii's strict rules are for IMPORTING live goods not exporting. I go to Hawaii 1-2 times every year and taking things from Hawaii is fine as long as it was in a legal fashion (my fish was caught and bought through Rob).

If you however are flying to Hawaii you must fill out the live goods flyer and they will not allow you to bring in any livestock unless it has been QT'd for many months prior and has been cleared by the Hawaiian govt

 

[jaa1456]

Hawaii's strict rules are for IMPORTING live goods not exporting. I go to Hawaii 1-2 times every year and taking things from Hawaii is fine as long as it was in a legal fashion (my fish was caught and bought through Rob).

If you however are flying to Hawaii you must fill out the live goods flyer and they will not allow you to bring in any livestock unless it has been QT'd for many months prior and has been cleared by the Hawaiian govt

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here. The rules in Hawaii are just as strict for exporting live goods, including fruits, vegetables whatever. I spent alot of time there and my buddy is there now and he is working on a few projects down there, all invovling marine wildlife and reefs. Even with his permits and I was there for awhile, there is more than just collecting and having someone with a permit sell you something. In Hawaii it is even illegal to have a marine fish tank of any kind.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here. The rules in Hawaii are just as strict for exporting live goods, including fruits, vegetables whatever. I spent alot of time there and my buddy is there now and he is working on a few projects down there, all invovling marine wildlife and reefs. Even with his permits and I was there for awhile, there is more than just collecting and having someone with a permit sell you something. In Hawaii it is even illegal to have a marine fish tank of any kind.

I believe you're misinformed on the laws/regulations.

It is not illegal to have a marine fish tank. It IS illegal to have corals. It is also not illegal to export live animals, fruits, etc. Macadamia nuts ring a bell, sugar (cane), pineapples, etc. are all grown, harvested and exported out of hawaii, legally.

Edit: Adding more -- If it were really illegal to export aquarium fish, don't you think there'd be a bigger crack down on it? Local and State authorities are well aware of the aquarium export industry in Hawaii. I don't think they'd just sit idle if it really were illegal.

 

[Honeygs]

I brought back fish on a flight from Miami to Minneapolis with no problems, other than they ran it through the x-ray machine even though I told them it was live fish! I got them home and they survived, but that was a few years ago, I don't know about now.

 

[ccampbell57]

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here. The rules in Hawaii are just as strict for exporting live goods, including fruits, vegetables whatever. I spent alot of time there and my buddy is there now and he is working on a few projects down there, all invovling marine wildlife and reefs. Even with his permits and I was there for awhile, there is more than just collecting and having someone with a permit sell you something. In Hawaii it is even illegal to have a marine fish tank of any kind.

:blown: so I guess that the Hawaiian gov't is going to get me...:hammer:

BTW with your last statement you are INCORRECT. It is illegal to OWN a REEF tank with corals OUTSIDE of Hawaii. You are allowed to have a fish tank all you like...

Again...until you have educated information to share it may be good to just follow along

 

[pookstreet]

Well, please let me clear up one important point that Chris failed to mention which made it completely legal. The fish was actually sitting in the seat and Chris was stuffed in the overhead compartment. Therefore, neither TSA nor the airline felt compelled to question the traveler.